Last week the European Union (EU) Telecoms Commission adopted a proposal to select systems to provide mobile satellite services (MSS) using spectrum in the 1980 to 2010 MHz band for Earth-to-space communications and 2170 to 2200 MHz band for space-to-Earth communications. “Complementary ground components”, which are similar to what the FCC calls the “ancillary terrestrial component”, are allowed, subject to conditions that they be used only as part of the satellite system.

Viviane Reding, the EU’s Telecom Commissioner, explained. “The potential for Europe-wide mobile satellite services is massive—think mobile television, think broadband for all, think public protection and disaster relief,” she said. “The new way the Commission proposes today to select mobile satellite services will give Europe’s industry the necessary confidence to invest in new EU-wide services for citizens. It will also help bridge the digital divide by improving coverage in the EU’s remote areas.”

If the EU Parliament and Member States adopt the proposal, it will ensure there is one, not 27 markets, in Europe for MSS.

The proposal includes a single comparative selection procedure that assesses candidate systems technically and commercially.